Huju

Shanghai Opera is a national intangible cultural heritage and the most representative local opera of Shanghai. It originated from the folk songs and ditties sung by farmers on both sides of the Huangpu River in the late 19th century, and gradually developed into a formal opera as Shanghai grew into a modern city. Different from grand classical Chinese operas, Huju Opera focuses on the daily lives of ordinary Shanghai people, with plots mostly about family stories, urban life changes and ordinary people’s emotions. Its melodies are soft and close to daily speech, and performers sing and speak in authentic Shanghai dialect. The performing style is natural and down-to-earth, without overly exaggerated movements or costumes. Tourists can watch Huju Opera performances at small theaters in old Shanghai neighborhoods or special opera halls, such as the Shanghai Huju Theater, to feel the real life atmosphere of old Shanghai.